Is It Just Me - Or Does This Annoy You Too?

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I've been a coach/instructor/teacher in several different fields in my lifetime and have always enjoyed helping people, but as I can't get out as much now due to physical limitations, I can still use what's in my head - this is one of the reasons I like computer forums. I love to keep learning and I find helping others learn helps me learn more too.

Gone are the days of having to seek out books (remember them) in the local library or trying to find somebody who may know the answer to your questions. We now have all the information we could ever want at our fingertips. The knowledge and wisdom of almost anyone of note who has lived in the last five thousand years is there for the taking - and mostly free.

Why is it then, that people are so lazy that they can't be bothered to do a basic search? There are so many questions asked on this forum (and others) that could so easily be answered by just a few key clicks. Most phones will do it if you speak, you don't even have to type.

However, these people would rather just type a question and then sit back expecting someone to give their time to explain it for them. Then when they get some answers, they will often argue and disagree, rather believing the bullsh!t hype given in advertising. The worst of all being the ones who disappear never to be seen again without even clicking a 'like' let alone saying thank you.

It won't be long before people get so lazy, they will need machines to help them breathe. :banghead:
 
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people (mainly newbies) who put questions in the forum that can polarise members - full civil war breaks out - newbie doesn't log back in again to see the aftermath...

people who won't read the manual...

lots of things really annoy me.
 
Ah! the future of mankind as 'predicted' in the animation movie Wall-E

But seriously, like you I do wonder about some folk who apparently (based on their age?) tech savvy do not appear to know 'how to use a search engine' :banghead: :thinking:
 
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It could partly be down to a want to interact with others. Looking something up in a book or on line could be a productive but solitary thing but on a forum we interact with people... This may be a shallow interaction but it's arguably still more interactive and more human than just solitary reading or Googling.
 
superpippo said:
The worst places to my mind are the Facebook camera forums with questions such as 'I am thinking of buying a xxxx.
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Thankfully, I have no interest in Faceache - I'm not interested in pictures of what people eat. :facepalm:
 
Box Brownie said:
Ah! the future of mankind as 'predicted' in the animation movie Wall-E
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Ah yes. I don't remember the line exactly, but wasn't is something to do with 'bone separation issues'? :ROFLMAO:
 
I don't think you can generalise but a few different motivations come to mind.

"Marketing" - I think at lot of the ones that pop up and ask if product X is any good, never to be seen again, are just marketing product X

"Excitement" - Asking a question as a way of telling the world "I am going to go and do somehting" or "I went out and did something", googling doesn't get you any poisitive comments for your proposed adventure

"Community" - again googling for an anwer doesn't get you any interaction but aksing a question does. We all ask innaine questions as part of normal conversation and why would it be any different on a forum where one is trying to fit in and be part of the crowd?

I think your assertion that people are "lazy" very much trivialises what is really going on and TBH a lot of people are happy to critise others who are "on their phones all the time" but when they try to interact they are told to use their phone ;)
 
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I suspect a key part is that people don't know how to frame their questions to get the answers they need or want (not all questions are asked looking for an answer). People sometimes ask how I found information in Google when they were unable to do the same.
 
ancient_mariner said:
People sometimes ask how I found information in Google when they were unable to do the same.
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Did you have to explain how to press the keys on a keyboard or move a cursor with their mouse? ;)
 
I’ve no issue with people asking a question there is a good chance they have and don’t understand and someone may better explain it via a forum. After all isn’t that the point of forums? Alternatively they don’t know what to search for but asking the question have them an idea to then do further research.
My current peave is Facebook groups. They are now just an excuse not to use google and expect trades to go to them rather than they call round to find someone. I do wonder how many actually get thier issue solved

“where can I get my tyre replaced” “recommend me”
“I need a reasonable plumber to fix my boiler tonight”
 
ancient_mariner said:
I suspect a key part is that people don't know how to frame their questions to get the answers they need or want
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Many people have that problem and some will find their way to forums, where they hope to find help from people who have the experience and patience to identify what they're trying to find out. :tumbleweed:
 
ancient_mariner said:
I suspect a key part is that people don't know how to frame their questions to get the answers they need or want (not all questions are asked looking for an answer). People sometimes ask how I found information in Google when they were unable to do the same.
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That is the question I ask my daughter on a regular basis. She gets much better search results than I do.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I suspect a key part is that people don't know how to frame their questions to get the answers they need or want (not all questions are asked looking for an answer). People sometimes ask how I found information in Google when they were unable to do the same.
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Granted........................but possibly for some also a matter of attention span i.e. I did a search and could not find "it". When asked how long they tried for, the answer is only a couple of minutes!!!! For some/a few others, also perhaps it seems to coincide with the need 'for instant gratification' and if they can't find the answer quickly their ego has not had the stroking they hoped for....????
 
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Box Brownie said:
For all too many folk it seems to coincide with the need 'for instant gratification' and if they can't find the answer quickly their ego has not had the stroking they hoped for....????
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Well said that man - my sentiments entirely. :clap:
 
Sky said:
Did you have to explain how to press the keys on a keyboard or move a cursor with their mouse? ;)
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I think the problem is more that they don’t know how to formulate a search. You can see it too in the form that the questions to which you refer are are posted here for advice. It’s often quite obscure what the real question might be. Its alway worth reading the answers replies I think, as often they degenerate and aren’t much more help than a failed Google search :).
 
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AgentOrange76 said:
isn’t that the point of forums?
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Aye, precisely what I was going to post.

Good chance many of those newcomers asking the basic [to some] questions will have googled it only to be led to a forum - so they sign up and ask more questions, hardly a new phenomenon

Also you are more likely to get a more detailed answer to a photography related querie on the likes of here.
 
Cagey75 said:
Good chance many of those newcomers asking the basic [to some] questions will have googled it only to be led to a forum - so they sign up and ask more questions, hardly a new phenomenon
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Of course they will, no one is arguing that point. It's the ignoring of advice given and complete lack of basic manners that annoys me the most. Oh, and of course their laziness - hence the reason for my post.
 
I have noticed a that not all newcomers with a question "ask" in a polite and meaningful way.

What on earth happened to 'please' and 'thank you'??? I heard an item on the radio yesterday about the way Cortana, Siri and other listening assistants have affected the way the younger? generation ask for things, as in none and/or lack of simple manners when conversing with other people :(


PS my old secondary school motto was "Manners Maketh Man", quite apart from the way I was brought up to be mindful of others whether in speech or written communications;)
 
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Sky said:
Of course they will, no one is arguing that point. It's the ignoring of advice given and complete lack of basic manners that annoys me the most. Oh, and of course their laziness - hence the reason for my post.
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You'll get the odd one on any forum/site though, and it's less likely to be newcomers in my experience. Most newcomers who plan to stick around at least, seem to be pleasant enough but then I don't read every section here just the few these days.
 
Cagey75 said:
You'll get the odd one on any forum/site though,
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That's very true - I've been using computer forums of one sort or another since the eighties (no WWW in those days) and that's exactly how it was; the 'odd one'. However, it seems to me that the last couple of years the prevalence has increased - almost to the point where the majority are doing exactly what I'm moaning about.

What's additionally frustrating is that it's just accepted - no one pulls them up on this behaviour and some will even defend it. :facepalm:
 
Sky said:
Of course they will, no one is arguing that point. It's the ignoring of advice given and complete lack of basic manners that annoys me the most. Oh, and of course their laziness - hence the reason for my post.
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Agree there is no excuse for not having good manners
Box Brownie said:
I have noticed a that not all newcomers with a question "ask" in a polite and meaningful way.

What on earth happened to 'please' and 'thank you'??? I heard an item on the radio yesterday about the way Cortana, Siri and other listening assistants have affected the way the younger? generation ask for things, as in none and/or lack of simple manners when conversing with other people :(
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Sorry got to disagree, I manage a Garden Centre and in general the 20-50 range usually say can I have, id like, where will i find and will hand you cash, may not always be a please and thanks dependant on the request.
The 50+ its I want, get me this, why i do I have to do that, throw cash at the till op, can barely be civil. Ill guarantee if there is someone being rude because there is an issue they will be over 60.
 
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AgentOrange76 said:
Agree there is no excuse for not having good manners


Sorry got to disagree, I manage a Garden Centre and in general the 20-50 range usually say can I have, id like, where will i find and will hand you cash, may not always be a please and thanks dependant on the request.
The 50+ its I want, get me this, why i do I have to do that, throw cash at the till op, can barely be civil. Ill guarantee if there is someone being rude because there is an issue they will be over 60.
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I won't disagree on that front.......and for me whatever age they are, if impolite it "gets to me" :(

However, it seems those (possibly fly by night) new members who are demanding are under 30!
 
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AgentOrange76 said:
Agree there is no excuse for not having good manners


Sorry got to disagree, I manage a Garden Centre and in general the 20-50 range usually say can I have, id like, where will i find and will hand you cash, may not always be a please and thanks dependant on the request.
The 50+ its I want, get me this, why i do I have to do that, throw cash at the till op, can barely be civil. Ill guarantee if there is someone being rude because there is an issue they will be over 60.
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Agreed. When I worked in retail, the older customers were certainly more demanding
 
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Marc said:
Agreed. When I worked in retail, the older customers were certainly more demanding
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I think a lot of that is down to experience and the gaining of confidence with age. It certainly is in my case - I might be old and in a wheelchair, but I'll take no prisoners when it comes to standing up for myself. I wasn't like that before I turned thirty even though I'd earned a Karate black belt by that time.
 
Sky said:
I think a lot of that is down to experience and the gaining of confidence with age. It certainly is in my case - I might be old and in a wheelchair, but I'll take no prisoners when it comes to standing up for myself. I wasn't like that before I turned thirty even though I'd earned a Karate black belt by that time.
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Indeed but I'm talking about being demanding in an impolite way
 
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Sky said:
Of course they will, no one is arguing that point. It's the ignoring of advice given and complete lack of basic manners that annoys me the most. Oh, and of course their laziness - hence the reason for my post.
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If you’ve read the questions on Amazon you will find a lot of people seem to think they are contacting Amazon and maybe some new posts here think they are contacting some trade organisation :(.
 
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Box Brownie said:
I have noticed a that not all newcomers with a question "ask" in a polite and meaningful way.

What on earth happened to 'please' and 'thank you'??? I heard an item on the radio yesterday about the way Cortana, Siri and other listening assistants have affected the way the younger? generation ask for things, as in none and/or lack of simple manners when conversing with other people :(


PS my old secondary school motto was "Manners Maketh Man", quite apart from the way I was brought up to be mindful of others whether in speech or written communications;)
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I have noticed a that not all newcomers with a question "ask" in a polite and meaningful way. What on earth happened to 'please' and 'thank you'???

I can't recall seeing 'please' in any questions posted on here, newcomers or longstanding members and I've never found it lacking in manners .I've just taken a quick look at the threads which involve questions..eg Talk Equipment--Talk Beginners- Talk Locations.... Someone will put up a heading and just start ..for example."Can anyone tell me why" or Can anyone give me somne advice on... etc... It seems fine to me. Each one had written at the end a thank you or a 'cheers' One had written "Thanks for taking the time to reply'. Can't fault that. After the issue was resolved ..'thanks everyone'' or 'Thanks all, much appreciated' Only one person who had 1 post listed asked a question and at least did write 'thanks' got four answers and didn't respond. That was 2 months ago and still 1 post showing where ther number of posts shows.so ..ie that one. Could be a number of reasons, I suppose. Sometimes I forget where I posted a comment if no alert was actioned and wonder what the person thinks who I was interacting with. Might start making a note in future.

I'm a lot more concerned with some of the uncivil exchanges I see to a point where a Staff member has to step in and call time. Another not uncommon practice is to post a link in response to what someone has said without any comment. It seems to be the equivalent of someone coming to you and tossing a page of information infront of you without saying anything.
This is different to posting a cartoon or the like without comment as part of a thread..eg..The Official Political thread comes to mind.

There's no body language,no intonation to hear so it makes it so important to ensure a comment can't be taken the wrong way.

On January 29th Cobra created a new thread . 'In Memoriam' It was in relation to Covid deaths and how they are affecting members who have lost family members and friends. Some posts were not related to Covid per se but the experience of death in the family or a close friend and it stopped me in my tracks. I thought about the confrontational manner, sometimes including personal abuse (as I've just mentioned) that some indulge in and I'm thinking they need to bear in mind that sometimes, often maybe, behind an avatar or name is someone who has possibly experienced or is experiencing all manner of difficulties in their lives including medical conditions, some debilitating. We can't always agree but we can, should we choose to be, always be mindful.
 
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Bobsyeruncle said:
If you don't want to answer a question that's been asked a squillion times, move on..... ;)
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I don't generally - there was one I ignored today because he could easily have found out for himself.

As for the ones where people never say thanks or even bother to reply - well, they are obviously beyond my control.
 
Sometimes it’s good to just interact with people on a forum with a common interest and often a response will send you along a different direction
For example I’m rebuilding a motorbike at the moment and although I could have figured it all out by myself including googling it’s nice to interact with people on a forum and someone often knows a better way of doing something or that a part from a different model will fit my bike
 
I can't argue with that - that's why I like forums. (y)

I've run a couple myself in the past and have also been a moderator and administrator on a couple of others.

It's been over a lot of years too and it's a fact that more and more people are now behaving in the way that I've mentioned.
 
What a miserable self centered post this is.... just like the last time the subject was raised... isn't that ironic? could have just searched before slagging everyone off :)

Personally I like helping poeple


Hope that helped :)
 
Google is increasingly poor though... for any given search term:

  1. The first three links will be sponsored shops, which are almost guaranteed to be irrelevant
  2. The next will be forum posts about the same thing, porbably with no resolution.
  3. Blog posts next, guaranteed to be copy and paste jobs from someone else's blog with low resolution images, or non existent ones. Often refer to parts that haven't been copied and pasted, query goes unanswered.
  4. Desperate newspaper and other community based links in which subject is mentioned, not at all in depth, most definitely no answer here.
  5. Russian shops, online or otherwise. Possibly have the answer but it's all in Cyrillic and I don't speak Russian. Will probably have photos of subject.
 
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AJQS said:
Google is increasingly poor though... for any given search term:

  1. The first three links will be sponsored shops, which are almost guaranteed to be irrelevant
  2. The next will be forum posts about the same thing, porbably with no resolution.
  3. Blog posts next, guaranteed to be copy and paste jobs from someone else's blog with low resolution images, or non existent ones. Often refer to parts that haven't been copied and pasted, query goes unanswered.
  4. Desperate newspaper and other community based links in which subject is mentioned, not at all in depth, most definitely no answer here.
  5. Russian shops, online or otherwise. Possibly have the answer but it's all in Cyrillic and I don't speak Russian. Will probably have photos of subject.
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Maybe you should duck and go ;)
 
AJQS said:
Google is increasingly poor though... for any given search term:
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I agree and I haven't used it in years because of this. Google is all about profit and nothing else nowadays - a far cry from what it was when it came out a little over twenty years ago. I won't let anything Google on my system now if possible.
 
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